Helen King Smith

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 28 at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. A visitation will follow the service in the fellowship hall.

Mrs. Helen Rose King Smith, age 87, of Willow Spring, NC passed away on Saturday at her home. Helen Smith was born on February 12, 1935 in Harnett County to Haywood Alton and Mary Dupree King. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, James Ruffin Smith and her brothers, Alton Lavelle King and Samuel Howard King.

Surviving Helen are her son, Keith Smith and wife, Lynn of Four Oaks; daughter, Jan Smith Gossett and husband Roger of Willow Spring; grandson, George Johnson Smith of Baltimore, Maryland; step-granddaughter, Tessa Danielle Gossett, and step-great-granddaughter, Emma Danielle Ruth both of Buies Creek; brother, Glenn Dupree King and wife Margaret of Coats, Jerry Thomas King and wife Peggy of Four Oaks; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Smith graduated from Cleveland High School in Johnston County in 1953 where she played

basketball. She attended Hardbargers Business School in Raleigh, NC. She married her husband

James on June 6,1953 and they were the first couple to be married in White Memorial

Presbyterian Church where her father, Alton, was a charter member.

Mrs. Smith initially worked with her husband on their farm and then became employed by First

Citizens Bank in Angier, NC where she worked for 35 years. She was a lifelong member of

White Memorial Presbyterian Church where she served in many roles and capacities, church

treasurer, elder, Presbyterian Women and she was selected as the 2007 Outstanding Older Adult

in Ministries of the Presbytery of New Hope. She also volunteered with the Council on Aging of

Johnston County - Meals on Wheels.

Mrs. Smith earned a lifelong reputation for her altruism, consideration for others, and rock-solid dependability. She cooked and baked countless meals for friends, neighbors, and family members in need. She was a long-term adult caretaker for both her parents. She was also an avid supporter of her grandson, George, and rarely missed his youth sporting events, no matter the location. Mrs. Smith possessed the uncanny ability to make decisions, resolve conflict

and generally communicate in a subtle but effective manner.

The Smith Family would like to thank and express their grateful appreciation to Mrs. Smith's in-

home caregivers Donna McCallum, Tina Locklear and Joyce Hunt. The family would also like to

thank Promedica Hospice of Raleigh for their care of Mrs. Smith and the kindnesses they

extended to the family.

Memorial donations may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1459 White

Memorial Church Road, Willow Spring, NC 27592.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers at this time.